The influence of various additions on a glass-ceramic matrix composition based on industrial waste

The influence of chamotte additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of glass-ceramics made from a combination of silicate wastes is investigated, in order to obtain reinforced glass-ceramic composites by powder technology and viscous flow sintering. The base glass-ceramic matrix was formulated from fly ash, peat ash and clay from Latvian origin and, in once case, addition of waste glass. Chamotte particles obtained from clay in concentrations of 10, 20 and 30 wt.% were added to the starting silicate composition. The optimal concentration of chamotte additive was found to be 20 wt.%, which resulted in a material with high relative density (96% theoretical density), relatively high ultimate bending strength (72 MPa) and large sintering interval (ΔT > 50 °C). The results confirmed that chamotte particles are useful and cost-effective additions as reinforcing phase to produce improved silicate glass-ceramics from wastes.